Reykjavik: Lava Cave, Hot Springs, Horses & Waterfalls Tour

West Iceland rewards curiosity. This 10-hour trip packs several very different experiences into one day: the broad Hraunfossar waterfalls, steaming Deildartunguhver, the historic Reykholt site, a friendly Icelandic horse farm, and the remarkable Viðgelmir Lava Cave. I especially like the mix of nature and culture, plus the small group size of up to 19 people. The main drawback is the long day and the cave’s uneven, wet footing, which will not suit anyone with limited mobility.

The strongest part of the tour is the cave, where colorful lava formations and winter ice can make the underground walk feel like another world. I also like the horse farm stop, since hot spring bread and coffee give you a taste of everyday Iceland rather than another quick photo stop. Guides such as Filip, Walter, Thor, Addi, and Cristina have been praised for humor, stories, and local facts, though your experience depends on who leads your bus.

Key points to know before booking

• Viðgelmir is the day’s main event: The guided cave visit lasts about 90 minutes and includes admission.
• Hraunfossar is unusually broad: Many streams pour from a lava field across roughly 900 meters.
• The horse farm adds local flavor: You can meet Icelandic horses and try homemade rugbrauð, or hot spring bread.
• Reykholt connects scenery with saga history: You will see Snorralaug, a small spring linked to Snorri Sturluson.
• Plan for a full 10 hours: Pickup is between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, with return to Reykjavik later in the day.
• Bring warm clothes and cash: Food is not included, and the cave can feel very cold.

Why this West Iceland route works

This is a strong choice if you want more than Iceland’s most famous south coast stops. The route heads into Borgarfjörður, an area tied closely to the Icelandic sagas, and gives you a fuller look at western Iceland in one outing.

You are not simply driving from one waterfall to another. The day shifts from open scenery to geothermal activity, then to horses, medieval history, and volcanic geology. That variety keeps the trip from feeling repetitive, even though you spend a good deal of time on the road.

The tour costs $222 per person. That is not a budget excursion, but the price includes transport from Reykjavik, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi on the bus, admission to Viðgelmir, and admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm. You also avoid arranging a rental car, finding the cave, and managing the long route yourself.

The value is best if you want a guided day and would otherwise need to pay for several separate activities. If you already have a car and prefer to set your own pace, the fixed schedule may feel less attractive. You should also note that meals are not included.

Glanni Waterfall starts the morning

After pickup in Reykjavik, the first listed sightseeing stop is Glanni Waterfall, with about 30 minutes to look around and take photographs. This gives you an early outdoor break before the longer sequence of stops farther west.

Glanni is useful as an introduction to the day because it is quick and scenic without demanding a major hike. You get time to stretch your legs, but you should not expect a long walk or an extended stay here.

Pickup in central Reykjavik can involve a nearby bus stop because larger vehicles cannot use every street in the city center. You are given the exact location, and pickup runs between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, so be ready from 8:30 rather than waiting until the last possible minute.

Meeting the horses at Sturlureykir

Sturlureykir Horse Farm is one of the most personal stops on the route. You have about 45 minutes to meet the Icelandic horses, pet them, and enjoy a simple snack of homemade rugbrauð with coffee or cold water.

The bread is heated using geothermal energy, which makes the stop more than a standard farm visit. It connects the region’s hot springs to a familiar food tradition, and it gives you a chance to slow down after the first waterfall.

The horses are described as gentle and friendly, and several guides have made this a warm, relaxed part of the day. You should still follow the farm’s instructions and treat the animals calmly. This stop suits families with older children and anyone who likes a close look at local life, though children under five cannot join the tour.

Deildartunguhver shows Iceland’s heat

At Deildartunguhver, you stop for about 20 minutes to see one of the country’s most striking geothermal areas. The water here is intensely hot, so this is a viewing and photography stop, not a place for bathing.

That distinction matters. The tour includes hot springs, but it is not a hot spring bathing excursion. You will see geothermal activity up close at Deildartunguhver and Snorralaug, while the trip’s main physical activity takes place inside the lava cave.

A short stop works well here because the geothermal area is about seeing and feeling the force beneath Iceland’s surface. You might find the contrast striking: steaming water at Deildartunguhver, cool open air around you, and later a cave created by ancient volcanic flows.

Reykholt and the small pool of Snorralaug

Reykholt adds the cultural layer that many scenic day trips leave out. You have roughly 30 minutes to visit the historic site and see Snorralaug, a small hot spring associated with Snorri Sturluson.

Snorri was a medieval Icelandic poet and politician, and the spring is mentioned in medieval writings. He used it for bathing, so this modest pool connects a physical place with a person who helped preserve Iceland’s saga tradition.

Do not expect a large museum visit or a long historical tour in this time. The stop is short, but it gives context to Borgarfjörður and helps explain why the region matters beyond its scenery. If you enjoy Icelandic history, this is one of the reasons to choose this route instead of a purely scenic circuit.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss deserve time

The Hraunfossar stop lasts about 90 minutes and includes free time, photographs, a break, and lunch. This is one of the day’s best places to pause because the waterfalls spread across about 900 meters rather than dropping in one narrow curtain.

The water appears to flow directly from the Hallmundarhraun lava field. That lava field formed around 1,000 years ago during a large eruption from a volcano beneath Langjökull glacier. Small streams move through the porous lava before emerging along the riverbank, creating the unusual pattern that gives Hraunfossar its name.

A few meters away, Barnafoss adds a different mood. Hraunfossar is broad and delicate, while Barnafoss is more concentrated and forceful. The pair works well together, and you have enough time to use more than one viewpoint rather than rushing off after a single photograph.

Lunch is not included in the tour price, so plan for this stop accordingly. The available information confirms a lunch break, but not a fixed menu or restaurant arrangement. Bring cash, as the tour information specifically advises it for lunch and the afternoon coffee stop.

The waterfalls can look especially striking in winter, when snow and ice frame the river. Still, conditions can change quickly, and the paths may be wet or slippery. Warm clothing and sturdy footwear are sensible choices.

Entering Viðgelmir Lava Cave

The 90-minute guided visit to Viðgelmir is the tour’s main attraction. The cave is just under 1,600 meters long and contains lava formations, changing colors, and sections shaped by the cooling of ancient volcanic rock.

You enter with a specialist cave guide rather than simply walking into an open cavern. Past visitors have singled out guides such as Erin, Lilla, Garith, and other cave staff for clear explanations and careful attention to safety. One guide was described as a geologist, which can make the formations easier to understand instead of leaving you with only a series of unusual shapes.

The cave can be very cold, even when Reykjavik feels mild. In winter, ice formations may hang from the roof or build up on the floor, creating shapes that look like underground stalagmites. These are not the same as limestone cave formations. They come from water freezing and volcanic material weathering inside the tunnel.

The walkway is made of wood in parts, with handrails, but it can be wet underground. One person found a particularly slippery section concerning, so take your time and use the rails. You should not treat this as a casual stroll in ordinary shoes.

The cave is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. A relative with walking difficulty once chose to remain at the cafe while others entered, and the surrounding lava views still gave him something to enjoy. That may be a practical option for some families, but you should confirm arrangements with the operator before booking.

The entrance area itself helps explain the scale of the eruption that made the cave. You can see how much lava once moved across the region before you even go underground. That makes the cave more meaningful than a simple novelty stop.

The guides shape the whole day

The bus guide matters here because you spend many hours together. Strong guides have made a real difference, with names including Filip, Walter, Thor, Addi, Cristina, David, and Colin appearing in particularly warm accounts of the trip.

The best guides have added Icelandic stories, jokes, music, and practical help without making the ride feel like a lecture. Filip was praised for an excellent music playlist and engaging stories. Walter was remembered for humor and facts, while Addi was credited with keeping the group comfortable and sharing useful details about Icelandic history.

That said, the guiding style can vary. One person found the guide more like a driver, with limited interaction between stops. You should book this tour expecting an English-speaking guide, but not assume every guide will offer the same level of storytelling.

The small format helps. With a maximum of 19 passengers, it is easier to ask questions and keep the day more personal than on a large coach. It also makes pickup and group movement simpler, though the vehicle will still be on the road for much of the day.

Timing, comfort and what to bring

This is a full-day excursion, not a short outing with a few nearby stops. Pickup begins between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, and the return to Reykjavik comes after the cave and all western stops. The schedule is full, but the 90-minute waterfall break and regular food and restroom opportunities help prevent it from feeling like nonstop motion.

Bring warm layers even if the forecast looks pleasant. The cave is cold, and Icelandic weather can shift quickly around the waterfalls and geothermal sites. Cash is also important because meals are not included and the tour advises carrying money for lunch and the afternoon coffee break.

Free Wi-Fi onboard is useful for checking messages during the long drive, but do not count on it as a substitute for planning your day. Bring a charged phone or camera, and wear shoes that can handle wet paths and uneven surfaces.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. Pickup is included within Reykjavik, although a nearby designated bus stop may replace direct hotel service in the city center.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this tour if you want western Iceland’s main sights but do not want to drive. It works particularly well for first-time visitors who want scenery, saga history, geothermal sights, horses, and geology in one day.

It also suits you if the lava cave is a priority. The cave admission is included, and the guided visit gives you more context and structure than simply viewing a lava field from the roadside.

This is less suitable if you want a slow day with long stays at each place. It is also a poor fit for anyone who cannot manage a wet, uneven cave walkway, and the tour does not accept children under five or wheelchair users.

The horse farm makes the day more appealing for people who prefer gentle encounters to high-adrenaline activities. You will not be bathing in a hot pool, and the tour is not built around a long hike. Instead, it gives you several short experiences linked by a long scenic drive.

Should you book the West Iceland cave tour?

Book it if you want a broad, well-filled day and the Viðgelmir cave sounds worth the price on its own. The strongest combination is the cave, Hraunfossar, and the horse farm, with Reykholt adding real historical interest.

Skip it if you dislike fixed schedules, long drives, or cold underground walks. Also think twice if your priority is hot spring bathing, since the geothermal stops are for viewing rather than soaking.

At $222, this is a mid-to-high priced day tour, but admission, transport, a small group, and an English-speaking guide are included. For you, the deciding question is simple: do you want one carefully arranged day in West Iceland, or would you rather rent a car and spend longer at fewer places? If you choose convenience and variety, this tour earns its place on your Reykjavik plans.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The tour lasts up to 10 hours, including pickup from Reykjavik, sightseeing stops, the lava cave visit, and the return journey.

What time is pickup in Reykjavik?

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. You should be ready at your assigned pickup location from 8:30 AM.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off within Reykjavik are included. Since buses cannot use certain streets in central Reykjavik, you may be directed to a nearby bus stop.

Is the Viðgelmir Lava Cave admission included?

Yes. Admission to the Viðgelmir Lava Cave and the guided cave tour are included in the ticket price.

Is the horse farm admission included?

Yes. Admission to Sturlureykir Horse Farm is included.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included. There is a lunch stop and an afternoon coffee break, and you should bring cash.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under five cannot join the tour. The cave’s wet and uneven walkway may also be unsuitable for young children or anyone who has difficulty walking.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and cash. Warm layers are especially important because the lava cave can be very cold.